The Alabama game is double or nothing for Tennessee.
If the Vols somehow turn back the Tide, quarterback issues won’t matter much anymore and optimism will prevail.
If the Vols lose, their outlook will settle back to about what it was in August – sort of OK but probably outside playoff consideration, maybe 8-4.
From Alabama’s perspective, the Saturday game at Neyland Stadium is critical – for the team and the coach.
Alabama fans have long believed that Kalen DeBoer is overmatched and destined for failure. They never understood why athletics director Greg Byrne paid all that money to bring him from Washington, of all places.
The Southeastern Conference is a big-boy league, big players, big games, big crowds, big expectations.
DeBoer could never replace Nick Saban. Wise men do not follow legends. A loss to Tennessee would be another point of proof.
Bear Bryant and Nick Saban, together, won 12 national titles at Alabama.
One doubtful fan pointed out that after two and a half seasons, Kalen DeBoer hasn’t won even one.
Bryant died. Saban retired but is still very present. It’s hard to escape him. Every Saturday, he’s part of ESPN’s “College GameDay” — for three hours. He’s in an assortment of TV commercials. He’s big on Aflac.
When country music star Morgan Wallen needed a famous Alabaman to walk out with him for a concert at Bryant-Denny Stadium last spring, he picked Saint Nick.
Every home game, DeBoer leads his team past a bronze statue of Saban and into the stadium. The game is played on Nick Saban Field. Right now, ESPN is running a six-part documentary about Nick Saban.
“It’s awesome for our program. It’s what you want. You want excitement. You want people to celebrate the great ones who came here,” said DeBoer. “That’s an awesome thing.”
There would be a little less pressure if DeBoer’s 2024 Tide had not lost to Vanderbilt.
Last season started with an upset loss to Florida State, included a victory over Georgia, an ugly loss to the Bulldogs in the SEC championship game and a negative playoff finish, 38-3 destruction by Indiana.
Alabama was 5-0 on Saturday past when Georgia prevailed – in Tuscaloosa. Late pass interference by the Bulldogs wasn’t flagged. Late unsportsmanlike conduct by Tide defender Dijon Lee was.
It isn’t easy being Alabama.
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Alabama is favored by 6.5 points over Tennessee. One reason is dual-threat quarterback Keelon Russell. The sophomore was the highest-rated recruit in modern Alabama football history, ahead of Bryce Young and Julio Jones.
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Tennessee probably can’t top the Tide with what it has been doing on offense – conservative game plans and short passes. The ground attack will be at risk because Alabama will put almost everybody in the box.
Arkansas tried that. DeSean Bishop beat the odds. Alabama is a lot better than Arkansas.
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Defense may give the Vols a chance. It looked pretty good in the closing five minutes against the Razorbacks.
Strange that all that offseason work by Derek Owings and his staff was supposed to make the Vols bigger, faster and stronger. Improved endurance was a byproduct.
Now there is a question about whether the defense can play its fair share of a 60-minute game. Against the Vols, Auburn gained 86 yards in the first half and 259 in the second. Arkansas gained 99 and 189.
Is that strength and endurance or coaching? I’m almost certain Alabama will be more challenging.
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Marvin West welcomes comments and questions from readers at marvinwest75@gmail.com Read more westwords. Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. Get all KnoxTNToday articles in one place with our free newsletter.
